Wire-fastening device for metallic fence-posts



(ModeL) I W. 'B. HAYDEN. WIRE FASTENING DEVICE FOR METALLIC FENCE POSTS.

Patented Apr. 20 2% s FhowLilhognplwr. mumm. n. c.

rrsn STATES PATENT OFFIC VITJJIAB'I B. HAYDEN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO. V

WIRE-=FASFENINGDEVICE FOR METALLIC FENCE-POSTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,311, dated April 20,1886.

Application filed February 15, 1686. Serial No. 192,031. (Modeh) To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. HAYDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at C0- lumbus, in' the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful improvements in Wire-Fastening Devices for Metallic Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the construction of of-suitable transverse seats for the strands,

and provided also with openings on both sides of each seat to receive the prongs of an ordinary staple, which may be driven home astride the wire strand, and be so spread laterally that it will securely hold the wire in place.

It'is the further purpose of my invention to provide means for attaching a fence-strand to a metallic post by simply driving an ordinary staple into a seat formed in said post or in an attachment thereto, the prongs of said staple being spread laterally on opposite sides of the post to confine the staple in place, said prongs being spread by following the channels made for them as the staple is driven home.

The invention consists in the several novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and definitely pointed out in the claims annexed to this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in elevation of a portion of a fence embodying my invention; Fig. 2is an elevation of a portion of the post shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line a m, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts composing the fastening separated. Fig. 5 is aview of one of the staples.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates the fence-post, which I make of iron, cast or rolled, and preferably of semicylindrical form, as this gives the greatest strength with smallest weight. The post may be provided at its lower end with a point, 2, having wings or ribs 3, which increase in width toward the top. Upon two sides these wings may be flared or providedwith extending portions 4, lying in the plane of the fence, whereby increased resistance and strength are afforded against strains applied upon the opposite sides of the fence.

Upon the post, at suitable intervals, are formed or mounted projecting bosses 5, having on the outward face points or nipples 6, between which the strand of the fence is caught. Within the space between these points is formed a groove or channel, 7, having its central portion projected inwardly to form a concaved or cupped channel or seat, into which a bend of the strand may be drawn by the attaching-staple.

' Above and below the groove 7 are formed openings 8, which communicate with channels 9, leading the one toward the right and the other toward the left, said channels being so inclined that their inner divergent ends open upon or over the sides of the post. The pre ferred method of constructing and mounting these bosses will be described presently.

The wires or strands 1 ot' the fence being laid between the points 6 and over and in line with the channel7, an ordinary staple, 10, is placed astride of the same, with its prongs inserted in the openings 8, and by a hammer the staple is then forced down upon the wire, its prongs 10" spreading or bending laterally and in opposite directions as it is driven home. The bend of the staple is driven in so far as to have bearing upon the strand over the channel or seat 7 and draw the same down into it, producing a bend similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

I have found it convenient in practice to form the bosses 5 in the manner following: I may either make a casting, or, if. preferred.

I may forge the parts in dies upon the body of complete diverging channels, as stated andshown. In the superposed boss is formed also the channel 7 for the wire of the fence, and projecting from the back of the same is a stud, 14, which passes down through the skeleton piece 11 and enters an aperture in the post,

the end of said stud being upset on the back side of said post, whereby both pieces are firmly attached. The skeleton piece and the boss sitting upon it may each be concaved to fit upon the concave face of the post.

For the intermediate posts I propose to use a lighter strip of metal, 15, of less size and weight, but having the same means of attachment for the fence-strands. Thisintermediate may or may not rest upon the ground, as shown.

The staple I use in this combination is the ordinary wire staple; but for convenience I give an opposite bevel to the prongs, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the prongs are guidedinto the channels receiving them, It will be seen that I may use the invention in connection with any metallic post, whether the seats for the strands are cast or otherwise formed thereon or attached thereto. I prefer, however, the latter construction, as it is equally advantageous, and permits the wires to be attached to the posts and lo the intermediates at any desired interval.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A metallic fence-post provided with a lateral boss or projection having divergent passages to receive, guide, and spread the prongs of a staple to secure a fence-strand across said boss or projection, substantially as described.

2. In a metallic fence, the combinati0n,with a metal post, of seats for the fence-strands connected to said posts, each seat being provided with a horizontal channel to receive the fence-strand,and having above and below said channel openings for the legs of the attachingstaples, said openings diverging, the one to the right and the other to the left of the post, substantially as described.

3. In an all-metal fence, the combination, with a metallic post, of a boss or projection mounted upon said post,and provided with a channel to receive the fence-strand, and with laterallydivergent passages to receive and guide the prongs of an ordinary staple straddling the strand, substantially as described.

4. In an all-metal fence, the combination, with a metallic post, of seats for the fencestrands, having channels formed at right angles to said post, and having'their centers depressed below the ends,and provided also with laterally-divergent openings for the prongs of an ordinary staple bestriding the strand, depressing the same toward the center of the channel, and having its prongs spread laterally by driving home, substantially as described.

5. In an all-metal fence, the combination, with a metallic post of semi-cylindrical form, of skeleton pieces seated thereon at intervals, bosses superposed upon said skeleton pieces, both the latter and said bosses having channels, which when properly placed form divergent openings for the prongs of an attachingstaple, and a stud or rivet formed upon the back of the boss, and projecting through the skeleton piece and through an opening in the post, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have alfixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM B. HAYDEN.

XVitnesses:

E. K. STUART, CHAS. S. FAY. 

